Lagos State government, yesterday, said that the state will experience more than normal amount of rainfall with a total of 1936.2mm predicted. 
Commissioner for Environment and Water Environment, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab disclosed this during a media briefing of the Seasonal Climate Predictions (SCP) and the Socio-Economic Implications for Lagos State held at his office in Ikeja. He added that the yearly briefing was to alert Lagosians of the climate patterns and its socio-economic implications for residents.       
  
Wahab stressed that the average yealy rainfall amount predicted for 2024 is 1936.2mm, which is greater than the long-term average of 1721.48mm with the onset date expected to be the first week of April and ceasing in the first week of December.
  
According to him, Ikeja is expected to have an onset date of April 4 and  cessation date of December 4, with a yearly amount of 1900mm rainfall.
He added that Badagry is expected to have a rainfall onset date of April 1 and cessation date of December 5, resulting in a yearlyl amount of 1978mm, while Ikorodu is expected to have a rainfall onset date of April 4 and cessation date of December 4, totaling a yearly amount of 1903mm. 
  
According to him, below normal rainfall amounts are anticipated in the first half of the rainy season, while normal to above normal are expected in the second half of the rainy season.
  
He reiterated that the Ministry’s collaboration with NiMet yearly on the Seasonal Climate Prediction has been valuable as a vital weather and early warning tool for farmers, decision makers, operators of the various sectors and businesses that are likely to be impacted by the yearly rainfall.

The commissioner said the government had plans to downscale the Seasonal Climate Prediction to stakeholders and emergency workers in the State, adding that the State had deployed and maintained its network of weather stations and river gauge stations to monitor the weather and river levels and increase the preparedness for weather and flood related issues.

  
“We want to assure you that our state will continue to reap the benefits of careful and rigorous planning and execution, as our flood control measures are stepped up to contain any imminent rainfall.
  
“The Ministry has embarked on an all-year-round drainage maintenance programme for effective and efficient flood control, in addition to an efficient and sustainable solid waste management system,” he said.
  
He added that to effectively contain flooding in the state, the government is determined to maintain the synergy and partnership with the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Authority (OORBDA). 
  
Wahab stated that the rainfall from neighbouring Ogun, Oyo and Osun States, dams release and rivers water levels into the State will also be monitored. He said the partnership has in past years ensured control and monitoring of the steady and systemic release of water from Oyan Dam to prevent flooding of the downstream reaches of the Ogun River, saying the mutual relationship has been highly beneficial and will be sustained.
 
Wahab explained that proactively, the state has strengthened the Flood Early Warning Systems (FEWS) to deliver reliable, timely and effective flood information at an appropriate response time, adding that the low-lying Agiliti, Agboyi, Itowolo and Ajegunle communities will be closely monitored with respect to the likelihood of flooding from Ogun River as well as all other river basins in the State.
 
The Commissioner hinted that high amounts of rainfall and other contributory factors may lead to flooding in some parts of the state, while leading to a rise in Lagoon level. He said anytime there is high tidal movement, it may “lock up” the discharge points of drainage channels and until it recedes, there will be no discharge.
 
According to him, such occurrences can cause backflow resulting in flooding and as soon as the Lagoon recedes, all the generated storm water will immediately be discharged and the roads will be free.  He stressed that it is only when storm water remains on the roads for hours that there should be reports of flooding, maintaining that government will ramp up  sensitisation for residents along flood plains of major rivers such as Owode, Iwaya, Makoko, Badia, Ijora, Isaalu, Pota, Shibiri to be alert and ready to relocate to higher grounds when the need arises. 
  
He added that Drainage Engineers are available in all 57 Local Councils and Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) to attend to drainage related matters during and after the rainy season. 
 
The Special Adviser on Environment Mr Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu appealed to residents to support the efforts of the government by regularly cleaning drains in their frontages to ensure free flow of stormwater as well as desist from dumping refuse into drainage channels.
  
He also advised residents to report cases of drainage blockages, dumping of waste into canals and other unauthorised places to the Residents Engineers and zero tolerance offices across the state and motorists to observe prescribed speed limits on the roads to avoid loss of lives and property during the rainy season.